How to beat the bogus caller If in doubt keep them out - PDF document

The following people andorganisations are working together to help you.Local Crime Prevention TeamYour crime prevention team cangive you more advice about homesecurity.Contact them at yourlocal police station.Community safety,housing orsocial services can give you adviceor even provide home security.A welfare organisation for olderpeople.They even run projects insome areas to fit security devicesin older peoples homes.Look inyour local phone book for yourlocal centre or phone their nationaladvice line free on The line is open seven days a weekfrom 7am to 7pm. Help the AgedProvide practical supportto helpolder people live independent lives.They run a free national phoneadvice line called SeniorLine Ð call.The line is openfrom 9am to 4pm,Monday toFriday.In some areas,Help theAged run schemes that supply andfit home-security equipment Ð call for moreinformation.Neighbourhood WatchTry to join (or set up) aNeighbourhoodWatch,Home Watchscheme or residentsgroup.Itgood way of working together to make your community safer.For more information visitwww.neighbourhoodwatch.uk.com Working together to help you FDS 1 Produced by the Home Office Communication Directorate. If you have a PVC door,bars can sometimes be difficult to fit.Check with the manufacturer before you buy a PVC door,and always ask for a bar to be fitted.A door bar or chain acts as a useful barrier when talking to unexpected callers.It is a worthwhile investment.Only put your door bar or chain on when you answer the door.t keep it on all the time in case you need to get out in an emergency.PASSWORDSThe gas,water and electricity companies,and some councils,now have a password system for older and vulnerable customers.Customers give the company a word which is confidential to them and the company.When their representative calls,they will be expected to tell the customer the password to prove they aregenuine.Many companies offer special services to help you evenmore.Please contact your gas,water and electricity suppliers,or other utilities,to find out more. REPORT BOGUS CALLERSBogus callers sometimes work in pairs or even teams.They are oftenwell organised.One will distract the person while the other searchesthe house for money or other valuables.They can be men,women orchildren (or often a combination).Watch out for anyone who saysthey are in a hurry.Dont let them pressure or confuse you.If you think a bogus caller has called at your door,report it to thepolice immediately Ð dial 999 and tell them what has happened.Try to give the police a description of the person.While they are on their way,tell a neighbour,caretaker or Neighbourhood Watchrepresentative just in case they try at other homes in the area.The earlier the police know that bogus callers are working in the area,the quicker they can investigate.If you let someone into your home,even if you know them,and you become uncomfortable,make excuses and leave.Go to aneighbours house or ask a friend to come back with you.If youhave a community alarm use it.If you havent already got a door bar or chainfitted,you should think about getting one.A door bar only costs a few pounds and is easier to use than a chain. You can do this in three ways.Look up the phone number in the phone book and check itagainst the card the caller has given you.Do not be tempted tojust ring the number on the card as it may be a fake.Phone directory enquiries.It will help to check whether thecompany is genuine.Look at a recent bill to check the phonenumber.You should also think aboutkeeping a list of useful phone numbers,like gas,electricity and water services,in a handy place.Many now have freephone numbers to help you check theidentity of their workers.If you have any doubts,If,after these checks,you have any doubts about thecaller,especially if they came unannounced,tell them to call backlater when someone can be with you.You can also tell them tocontact you by letter to arrange a more convenient time.Only let them in when you are absolutely surethat they are genuine.Genuine callers will always be happy to make an appointment tocall and will carry an identity card with a photograph.They wonmind waiting if you want to phone andconfirm their identityorwant to rearrange the appointment. 3 STOPWhen someone calls at your door and offers to do repairs to yourhome or to ask for urgent help,or when someone official knocks on your door,follow these simple steps to help protect yourself and your home from bogus callers.Keep your front and back doors locked,even when at home.STOP:Before you answer,stop and think if you are expectinganyone.Check that you have locked any back doors and taken thekey out.Look through the spyhole or the window to see who it is.If you decide to open the door,put the door chain or baron first.Keep the bar or chain on while you are talking to the personon the doorstep.(Normally,when the door is shut and locked,leavethe bar or chain off in case you need to get out in an emergency.) Some bogus callers call on older and vulnerable people saying theyneed help urgently.They may ask you to help them outside the houseor ask to come in to make a phone call or have a glass of water.Only go to help them if you have someone else with you.Donworry if you choose not to help Ð it is not rude or unfriendly.If someone who looks official calls at your door,alwaysdo the following.Ask for and carefully check their identity card,even if they have a prearranged appointment (all genuine callers will carry one).Do they look like the person on the card? Is thename the same one as that on your letter? Close the doorwhile you do this.If you are not expecting them and theyhave not shown you an identity card,do not let them inuntil you have checked and double-checked that thecaller is genuine. Whether you are at home or away – keep your front and backdoors locked. And,if you are in anydoubt,These official visitors should alwaysarrange an appointment with youbeforehand.If you are notexpecting them and are alone,askthem to call back when you havesomeone with you.amounts of money inyour home.Bogus callers can also turn up as builders or gardeners and try totrick you into paying for unnecessary work.You should never agreeto having work done by someone who is just passing,or take theirword that work needs to be done at all.Do not be pressured intopaying them before they do any work.Do not accept any offer fromthem to drive you to the bank to withdraw the money.If you thinkwork needs to be done,get quotes from trusted companies (two or three should be enough) and also ask a friend or relative for arecommendation.You can check whether the company is reputableby contacting your local councils trading standards office. How to beat the bogus caller Most people who call at your home will be genuine.But sometimes,people turn up unannounced,with the intention of tricking theirway into your home.They are known as distraction burglars,whose only aim is to get into homes to distractpeople and steal their money or valuables.You should always be aware when someone you dont know calls at your door.By using the advice in this leaflet,you can protect yourself and vulnerablemembers of your family.Bogus callers may be smartlydressed and claim to be from the council,the police,healthorganisations or gas,water orelectricity companies.They can beconvincing and persuasive.They may be men,women or even children.They may ask for a drink of water or to washtheir hands.Some may be looking for a lost pet.In fact,people may use any story.They often use propslike an identity card or wear overalls with a company logo.If you are expecting the caller,remember to checktheir identification very carefully against the letter you have beensent or the password you have agreed before you let them in. How to If in doubt, STOPIs anyone EXPECTED?Back door LOCKED?opening the door.or caller’s I.D. CHAIN CHECK Home or away – keep all doors